| The Brain of The Many | |
|---|---|
| |
| Enemy Stats | |
| First Encounter | Engineering Deck (cutscene) The Body of the Many |
| Hit Points | 5 (Nerve Cluster) 10 (Defense Node) 100 (Brain) |
| Speed | Immobile |
| Weakness | Anti-Annelid attacks (4x) Anti-Personnel ammo (2x) Incendiary attacks (2x) External Psionic Detonation (2x) |
| Loot | nothing (100%) |
| [Source] | |
The Brain of The Many is The Many's central mind and the first boss in System Shock 2. The Soldier first sees the Brain in a hallucinatory sequence on the Engineering Deck and finally fights it in the Body of the Many.
Physiology
The specifics of the Brain's functions are unknown or unexplained. It is likely that the Brain is the cognitive center of The Many. The Brain itself displays a degree of intelligence, and is aware of the Soldier's actions throughout the game thanks to its psychic link with the Hybrids. The Brain also possesses great psionic power, which it uses to protect itself and communicate with the Soldier directly.
Personality
The Many views individuality as a weakness and a source of conflict. It also believes that it must bring an end to human discord by absorbing all life. The Many is not above using violence to ensure the success of its goal - aside from the invasive conversion process that turns humans into shambling Hybrids, it is also responsible for most of the atrocities aboard the Von Braun, including the creation of the Cyborg Midwives.
The Many displays some hypocrisy: they rail against cybernetics and machinery, yet it was them who informed Marc Miller to create the Cyborg Midwives. The Many hates discord and chaos, yet they incited much death and suffering directly. Likely, The Many perceives its actions as being in the interest of what it considers the greater good.
The Many is cordial and measured in its communication, never insulting the Soldier directly. Even when angered, The Many leaves the aggression to its minions.
Strategy
The Brain does not attack, but is invulnerable to damage until the three Defense Nodes orbiting it are destroyed. Furthermore, it is guarded by numerous Rumblers, as well as Psi Reavers - and a unique, powerful Greater Psi Reaver. Using Photonic Redirection Psi Power (preferably combined with Localized Pyrokinesis used before) is more than recommended.
The Psi Reavers can be finished off easily. Their brain stems are located in the side-chambers of the Brain's room. The Rumblers, however, never stop respawning, so the player must stay on the move to avoid being cornered and ripped apart. You can still use them to your advantage by subjecting them to the Imposed Neural Restructuring Power, and watch the fun!
The Defense Nodes have a puny 10 Hit Points, so single shots with the Pistol or the Shotgun will be sufficient. After that, any damage-dealing weapon will suffice to take down the Brain. The Brain explodes upon death ; this does no damage, but can launch the player quite far, so keeping one's distance is recommended.
Alternatively, If you have invested in the Soma Transference Power, you can just skip the Nodes and target the Brain directly, causing it to explode. This can save some time, as fighting the creatures surrounding it can be a real pain.
Template:SS2 Enemies